A Christmas Past

Just like a Christmas stocking, A Christmas Past's compilation of 10 vintage holiday silent shorts, circa 1901-1925, boasts some genuine goodies…and some filler. In the Christmas spirit, however, I'm happy to report that even the more narratively-challenged pieces--such as Edwin S. Porter's "A Winter Straw Ride," in which a gaggle of young women ride and fall off a sleigh, while mischievous boys helpfully pelt them with snowballs--serve up an authentic look at the cinematic ghosts of Christmases past. Highlights include D. W. Griffith's heartwarming social melodrama "A Trap for Santa"; the 29-minute "Santa Claus," filmed at the North Pole and featuring reindeer, elves, Eskimos, and special effects; the 1910 Edison Film Manufacturing Co.'s adaptation of Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol," replete with ghostly images; and Porter's abridged version of Clement Moore's 1822 poem "The Night Before Christmas" (with a corncob pipe smoking Santa). While unlikely to wow general audiences, true Christmas aficionados will appreciate this nostalgic glimpse into the past. Recommended. (R. Pitman)